Gene

Male

45

United States

Retired NYPD

I've gone to the gym, off and on, over the years to try and 'stay in shape, whatever the heck that's supposed to mean. I did not become serious about the undertaking until I was forced to: http://phoenixrising.typepad.com/weblog/2004/01/a_life_full_of_.html I'm through with thinking about this as rehab/physical therapy finally. It's time to get big and strong again!

MARCH 11, 2001--"I'm sorry, but you're husband will not survive the night.." MARCH 12, 2001--" ...by some miracle, he pulled through the surgery, but don't get your hopes up--he will not make the weekend" MONDAY--"Quite frankly, we just don't understand it--but he seems to be stable at this point. Just realize that there is no way of knowing how much damage has been done--he'll likely require constant care for the rest of his life" APRIL 2001--"The brain swelling has gone down enough for him to be able to go to a rehab center...his cognitive abilities appear to be normal, but I doubt he'll ever be able to regain his mobility..." JUNE 2001--"It really is amazing! You can walk!!--but you'll never go back to work as a police officer.." MAY 2002--"Congratulations on a well deserved promotion, Lieutenant--welcome back" JULY 2002--"It was probably a siezure that caused the fall-these things are fairly common with traumatic head injuries. Tough break, you're whole left side is affected. You're going to need a lot of physical therapy" OCTOBER 2002--"I refuse to sit in that weelchair another day!" DECEMBER 2002--"It's called an ankle foot orthotic (AFO)--just a temporary device for safety" APRIL 2004--"I think you should keep wearing it--I don't think you'll ever be without that leg brace" FEBRUARY 2008--"Well, I'm not a neurosurgeon, so I can't speak to the head injury aspect of it--but I can tell you that your ankle is fixed and you won't be needing that brace if you can somehow manage without it" MAY 2008--"You've shown amazing progress to this point, take the summer off from PT and we'll re-assess your gait in the Fall. I doubt you'll be giving up that cane anytime soon, though..." THE FUTURE--??? '...no such thing as failure who keeps trying--coasting to the bottom is the only disgrace' NEVER GIVE UP!! DON'T EVER GIVE UP!!

I'm alive and I can walk--I'm not even supposed to be here! I've worked mightily to get to this point and it's been the accomplishment of a lifetime...